Homily: Wednesday, 3rd Week of Ordinary Time

Readings: 2 Sm 7:4-17; Ps 89; Mk 4:1-20
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The books of Samuel and Kings are filled with wonderful stories about remarkable people. And right up at the top of the list has to be David.

Now our understanding of David depends largely on our understanding of Scripture itself. By “understanding Scripture” I mean how we think about Scripture and, accordingly, how we read it. For example, if we read Scripture strictly as a collection of historical documents – the way we might read the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta – we might learn something about the people of the ancient Middle East, but we won’t learn very much about God. And just as important, we won’t learn anything about ourselves and about God’s plan for us, about His love for us. 

After all, how could these ancient documents, written in long-dead languages by forgotten, anonymous men so long ago…How could they have anything to do with you or me? Sadly, that’s how a lot of people think of Scripture, particularly the Old Testament. And their lives are spiritually impoverished because of it.

But if we view and read Scripture as the Living Word of God, as God’s love letter to His people, to all of His people, to all of creation…well, if we see it that way, everything changes. According to the early church fathers everything in Scripture points to one thing, to one person… everything in Scripture points to Jesus Christ. And David is no exception.

In today’s reading, the prophet Nathan carries God’s message personally to King David. Now, David is pretty comfortable and settled; there’s peace; he lives in a palace. Life is good. And fittingly He desires to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant, a house for God. At first Nathan tells him to do what he wants, but then Nathan is sent by God to, in effect, tell David: “You don’t need to build a house for me; rather I will build a house for you.”

God also tells David that his son will build God’s Temple, as Solomon ultimately did. And He goes on to say, “…I will make his royal throne firm forever.” And it is here that we get a first glimpse of the Davidic covenant with God – the promise of an eternal king from the line of David, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

This is where we come in. God’s promise to David -- “God will make you great; God will make you a house” -- is also fulfilled in us and will continue on with our children, our grandchildren, and their grandchildren…because with the promise of the New Covenant, God lives within us, he lives in our hearts, our hearts of goodness, of peace, of His love.

How did the psalmist put? “Forever I will maintain my love for him; my covenant with him stands firm. I will establish his dynasty forever…” Ah, but then today we hear the parable of the sower and again we hear that everything, even life itself, eternal life…we hear that everything depends on how we receive God’s Word.

Now, all these thoughts led me to see today’s Gospel reading in a new light. You see, Jesus wants us to dig deep into that soil, whether it’s rocky or covered with thorns or on the wrong path. He’s wants us to examine it; and if it’s not in good shape, to do something about it.

I’m always telling young people that the people they hang out with can have a major influence on them. Doesn’t the same thing apply to us? We, too, can be easily influenced. If we spend most of our time playing golf, or going out for dinner and drinks, or going to neighborhood activities, or just being a couch potato…well, our soil probably isn’t in the greatest shape.

How much more fertile would it be if we were all well connected with our parish, if we were actively involved in one or more ministries? Or how about reading Scripture daily? Or improving our “listening to God” skills by making an occasional weekend retreat? Or spending an hour or two a week in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament? Or praying together daily with a spouse or friend? These influences ground us in our Faith, making our soil receptive to God’s Word, helping us see Jesus in those around us.
 
How will you and I receive the Word tomorrow, next week, for the rest of the year?
 
Not only did the Holy Spirit give us Sacred Scripture, but Jesus gave us His Church and her sacraments, her engines of grace, to help us and guide us. We can till our soil through the sacrament of reconciliation. And then we can enrich it with God’s own presence in the Eucharist, allowing Him to live within us.